Sofia Martinez
Freezing baked goods is a great way to reduce food waste and ensure you always have treats on hand. However, it can be tricky to do so without resorting to single-use plastic. While some people use plastic wrap, freezer bags, or cling film, others aim to avoid these due to environmental concerns. Alternatives to plastic include wax paper, aluminium foil, and reusable plastic containers.
Characteristics of freezing baked goods without plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wrapping | Wax paper, aluminium foil, freezer paper, or parchment paper |
| Containers | Reusable plastic containers, glass containers, or cardboard boxes |
| Storage | Freeze baked goods when they are completely cooled, store at the back or bottom of the freezer |
| Thawing | Thaw at room temperature, in the fridge, or in the oven/microwave |
| Decorations | Avoid freezing heavily decorated cakes, add frosting/decorations after thawing |
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What You'll Learn
Wrap baked goods in wax paper and foil
Wrapping baked goods in wax paper and foil is an effective way to store them in the freezer without using plastic. This method can be used for cakes, brownies, or bread, either for a whole cake or for individual slices.
To freeze a whole cake, first, let the cake cool completely at room temperature. Then, wrap the cake in wax paper, followed by a layer of foil. Finally, place the wrapped cake in a large zip-top bag and store it in the freezer.
To freeze individual slices, cut the cake into slices after it has cooled completely. Wrap each slice first in wax paper and then in foil. Place the wrapped slices in an airtight freezer container, separating the layers with parchment paper. Alternatively, you can place each wrapped slice in a zip-top freezer bag.
For frosted cakes or baked goods, the process is slightly different. First, place the cooled and frosted item in the freezer. Once the frosting is very firm, carefully wrap the item in wax paper, followed by foil or a zip-top bag. Store the wrapped item in the freezer.
When you are ready to serve your baked goods, thaw them at room temperature without unwrapping. For frosted items, be sure to unwrap them before thawing to prevent the icing from smearing.
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Use airtight containers
If you want to freeze baked goods without using plastic, one option is to use airtight containers. This method can be used for various baked goods, including cookies, cakes, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, and waffles. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Bake and Cool Your Baked Goods
Before freezing, make sure your baked goods are completely cooled to room temperature. This is an important step to prevent condensation and maintain the quality of your treats. Place them on a wire rack or baking sheet to cool evenly.
Step 2: Prepare for Freezing
Once your baked goods are cooled, you can start preparing them for the freezer. If you're freezing items like cookies or muffins, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other. This step helps ensure they don't stick together during freezing. For cakes, consider slicing them into portions before freezing, as it can be challenging to slice through a frozen cake.
Step 3: Use Airtight Containers
Transfer your baked goods into airtight containers. You can use glass or plastic containers with secure lids. Make sure the containers are suitable for freezing and can withstand low temperatures. Layer slices of parchment paper between items like cookies or cupcakes to prevent them from sticking together. If using a single large container, you can carefully arrange the baked goods in a single layer, optimizing space.
Step 4: Store in the Freezer
Label your containers with the name and date, then place them in the freezer. Choose a spot in the freezer that is less likely to be affected by temperature fluctuations, such as the back or bottom of the freezer. Baked goods can be stored in the freezer for up to two to three months.
Step 5: Thawing and Serving
When you're ready to enjoy your baked goods, take them out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature. Avoid unwrapping them before they are completely thawed to prevent moisture buildup. Once they're back to room temperature, they're ready to serve!
Using airtight containers is an effective way to freeze your baked goods without relying on plastic wrap or plastic bags. This method helps maintain the freshness and quality of your treats while reducing plastic waste.
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Freeze cookie dough
Cookie dough can be frozen in a variety of ways, depending on the type of cookie you want to make. Here is a guide to freezing cookie dough without using plastic:
For drop-style cookies, such as chocolate chip or peanut butter, you can scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the sheet in the freezer and once the dough is solid, transfer the frozen dough to an airtight container or freezer bag. Be sure to label the container with the name and date. Cookie dough can be frozen for up to three months. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet and follow the recipe instructions, allowing a few extra minutes of baking time.
For slice-and-bake cookies, divide the dough in half and roll each half into a log shape. You can then roll the logs into a coating, such as sugar or sprinkles. Wrap each log tightly in wax paper and then place in an airtight freezer bag. Label the bag with the name and date. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator before slicing and baking as usual.
For cut-out cookies, shape the dough into flat patties and wrap them tightly in wax paper. Place the wrapped patties in an airtight freezer bag and freeze for up to one month. When ready to bake, remove the dough from the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature before decorating and serving.
It is important to note that some delicate cookie doughs, such as French macaron batter or lace cookie batter, do not hold up well in the freezer. It is also recommended to freeze baked cookies for certain recipes, such as glazed or iced cookies, as freezing the dough can affect the final appearance of the cookie.
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Freeze unbaked cookies
Freezing unbaked cookies is a great way to always have freshly baked cookies on hand and to save cookie dough for later use. It is important to note that not all cookies are suitable for freezing, with delicate cookies such as laceys, meringues, and cakey cookies like madeleines being ill-suited to the freezing and thawing process. Sturdy cookies such as shortbread, biscotti, gingerbread, and drop cookies like chocolate chip or oatmeal are ideal for freezing.
To freeze unbaked cookies, start by rolling your cookie dough into equal-sized balls. If you are making cut-out cookies, shape the dough into a disc. Place the cookie dough balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, with two sheets of parchment paper between each layer of dough if stacking, to prevent them from sticking together. Then, chill the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour, or until firm. This is called a flash freeze.
Once the cookie dough balls are firm, wrap them in plastic wrap, wax paper, or foil, and transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. It is recommended to double up on freezer bags to protect against freezer odors. Cookie dough can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
When ready to bake, simply place the frozen cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake according to the recipe's instructions. Frozen cookie dough may need a few extra minutes of baking time. If the dough is too hard to work with, let it warm up at room temperature for a few minutes until it becomes pliable.
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Freeze frosted items
To freeze frosted items, first place the cooled baked good in the freezer. Once the frosting is firm, carefully wrap the item in foil or plastic wrap and place it inside a zip-top bag or plastic container. If you wish to avoid using plastic, you can wrap the item in waxed paper and then in foil. When you are ready to serve the item, let it thaw at room temperature.
It is important to note that frosted baked goods may not defrost as well as unfrosted goods. Therefore, it is recommended to freeze unfrosted cakes, cupcakes, and muffins and to add the frosting after they have been frozen and thawed.
Additionally, heavily decorated cakes or those with a lot of cream, custard, or icing may not be the best candidates for freezing as they are unlikely to defrost well.
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Frequently asked questions
After baking your cake, let it cool completely at room temperature. Then, wrap the cake layers individually in wax paper, followed by aluminium foil. You can then place the wrapped cake in a plastic container and store it in the freezer.
Bake your cookies and let them cool completely. Then, wrap them tightly in wax paper and place them in a freezer bag or airtight container.
Place scooped portions of cookie dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with wax paper, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen dough to an airtight container or freezer bag.
After baking your bread, let it cool completely. Then, wrap the loaf in wax paper, followed by aluminium foil. You can then place the wrapped bread in a plastic container and store it in the freezer.
